Setting the Foundation Building Georgia’s government from the ground up Georgia’s Constitution, Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, Citizens’ Rights and Responsibilities

SS8CG1 The student will describe the role of citizens under Georgia’s constitution. a. Explain the basic structure of the Georgia state constitution. b. Explain the concepts of separation of powers and checks and balances. c. Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens. d. Explain voting qualifications and elections in Georgia.

Georgia’s Government It is the governing document that outlines the foundation of Georgia’s government: the structure of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, governmental offices, and citizens’ rights and responsibilities in the state of Georgia. What is the Georgia state constitution?

Georgia’s government Georgia has had 10 constitutions. How many constitutions has Georgia had? Georgia has had 10 constitutions. The current constitution was ratified in 1983. It is modeled after the U.S. Constitution.

Georgia’s Government Structure of the Georgia state constitution: Preamble (Introduction) Articles (11 main articles) Sections Paragraphs What is the basic structure of the Georgia state constitution?

Georgia’s Government Article I: Bill of Rights Article II: Voting & Elections Article III: Legislative Branch Article IV: Constitutional Boards & Commissions Article V: Executive Branch Article VI: Judicial Branch What is the basic structure of the Georgia state constitution?

Georgia’s Government Article VII: Taxation & Finance Article VIII: Education Article IX: Counties & Municipal Corporations Article X: Amendments to the Constitution Article XI: Miscellaneous Provisions What is the basic structure of the Georgia state constitution?

Georgia’s Government The three branches of government are the: Executive Branch: Enforces laws Legislative Branch: Makes laws Judicial Branch: Interprets laws What are the three branches of government?

Structure of Georgia Government State Supreme Court Governor’s Mansion State Capitol General Assembly Governor Lieutenant Governor

Courts at the state, county and city levels. Structure of Georgia Government Executive Branch Legislative Branch Judicial Branch Enforces the laws. Makes the laws. Interprets the laws. Governor: Nathan Deal (Republican) 82nd Governor Lieutenant Governor: Casey Cagle (Republican) Also includes the head officials of these departments: Department of Agriculture, Attorney General, GA Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner, Public Service Commission, Secretary of State, and State School Superintendent. General Assembly House of Representatives: 180 members representing the citizens of Georgia. Senate: 56 members representing the citizens of Georgia. Courts at the state, county and city levels. Supreme Court Juvenile Courts Court of Appeals Superior Courts Probate Courts Magistrate Courts

Georgia’s Government The writers of the U.S. Constitution wanted to separate the powers of the branches of government so no one branch would have a majority of the power. They included a system of “checks and balances” to keep the branches of government accountable to one another. How do the separate branches of government ensure equal power among the branches?

Checks and Balances EXECUTIVE BRANCH LEGISLATIVE BRANCH Veto legislation; Call special session Reviews Executive Orders Override veto; Confirm appointments; Impeach officials Appoints some court officials Determines whether laws are constitutional Can propose constitutional changes; Impeach officials LEGISLATIVE BRANCH JUDICIAL BRANCH

Georgia Citizen Rights and Responsibilities Article I of the Georgia Constitution outlines the Rights of the citizens of Georgia. The first constitution of Georgia supported the basic rights of the citizens. The current rights are modeled after the U.S. Constitution’s Bill of Rights. What are the rights and responsibilities of Georgia citizens?

Georgia Citizen Rights and Responsibilities Similar rights and freedoms to the U.S. Constitution Right to freedom of religion Right to keep and bear arms Right to freedom of speech Right to assemble Etc. Different rights and freedoms from the U.S. Constitution Right to life, liberty and property Freedom of conscience Banishment and whipping as punishment for a crime Fishing and hunting What are the rights and responsibilities of Georgia citizens? Right to life, liberty, and property: No person shall be deprived of these unless by due process of law Freedom of conscience: Each person shall be allowed to worship God as he/she chooses Banishment & Whippings: neither banishment beyond the limits of the state or whipping shall be used as punishment for a crime Fishing and Hunting: Basically is regulated for the people and their good (Department of Natural Resources)

Georgia Citizen Rights and Responsibilities Actions that harm others Actions that break laws Actions that infringe on others’ rights What actions could take these rights away?

Georgia Citizen Rights and Responsibilities The citizens also have responsibilities to the government. Examples of citizen responsibilities: Jury Duty Paying taxes Serving in military when required. Volunteering Voting What are the responsibilities of Georgia citizens?

Election & Voter Requirements You must be 18 years of age or older. Be a citizen of the U.S. Citizen of Georgia and live in the county where you wish to vote. Be registered with the Secretary of State’s office 30 days before election. Have a VALID form of identification – such as a voter ID card, driver’s license or state issued ID What are the requirements to vote in Georgia?

Election & Voter Requirements A person may not vote if they are serving a felony sentence. Once the sentence requirements are complete, the person may vote again. A person may not vote if they have been found by a judge to be mentally incompetent. Why can’t some people vote?

Political Parties What are political parties? Groups of people who join together because of shared ideas and interests Help voters know what a candidate stands for Two major political parties in US: Democrats Republicans

Political Parties Minor political parties also exist: What are political parties? Minor political parties also exist: Libertarian Green Party Reform Party Independents are not part of a particular political party

Primary Elections Elections which select candidates to represent a political party at the General Election (Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State) When Georgia was a one-party state, these were the only elections that truly counted. Even now, if the only one party is represented at the Primary level, the Primary determines the election. What are primary elections?

Primary Elections In some states, voters must register as a Democrat or a Republican to be able to vote in primary elections In Georgia, any voter may vote in any party’s primary election at the state level What are primary elections?

General Elections An election where the winners from both parties’ primaries, along with members of third parties and independents, compete for political offices. The elections are also held in even number years and take place on the second Tuesday of November. What are general elections? Quoted directly from Grade Eight Teacher notes – page 93

Special elections, Run-offs, & referendums What are special elections? An election to vote for a vacancy or special issue. If neither candidate gets 50% of the vote, a run-off is held to determine the winner. (at the primary or general elections) Voters are allowed to vote on law. What are run-offs? What is a referendum?

Works cited "Elections." Georgia Secretary of State. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2014. Esslinger, Erica. "Ericaesslinger." Mrs Essies Georgia Studies Class. N.p., 12 Oct. 2012. Web. 13 Oct. 2014. "Grade Eight Teacher Notes." (n.d.): N. Pag. Georgiastandards.org. Georgia Department of Education, 16 Oct. 2012. Web. 13 Oct. 2014.